Thursday, 27th March, 2025
The Parliamentary Committee on Communications has identified the Digital ID project and the Social Media Policy as critical tools for effectively regulating Facebook and other online platforms in Papua New Guinea.
However, Chairman Hon. Marsh Narewec revealed that both initiatives have been underfunded, slowing their implementation.
“The proposed Digital ID project and Social Media Policy under DICT are the way forward to regulate Facebook, but these initiatives have not received adequate funding,” Narewec stated.
As way forward, the Permanent Parliamentary Committee has directed the DICT Secretary Mr Steven Matainaho to take charge of policy matters in the ICT sector by working with NICTA and RPNGC to come up with a Regulation for the Counter – Terrorist Act 2024 as way for executing the Act and Collaboration among different line agencies.
Additionally, the Committee has urged the Treasury Department to immediately release funds for the Digital ID project and the Social Media Policy, as way to effectively counter fake news, misinformation, cyber bullying, cyber harassment and cybercrime on the social media space.
The initiative aims to address issues such as fake news, misinformation, cyberbullying, cyber harassment, and other cybercrimes prevalent on social media.
The Committee has called for the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Information Communication and Technology to fast tract the PNGs accession to the Budapest Convention on Cyber Crime by getting Cabinet approval and bringing the submission to the Parliament for endorsement in the next Parliament sitting in May.
Hon. Marsh Narewec explicitly stated the Committee’s position against any social media bans, advocating instead for proper regulatory mechanisms.
“The Committee will not support any ban on social media including total ban or partial ban we must find other means to regulate social media properly without impeding on free speech.”
The Committee will continue to provide the oversight in the work of the line agencies including, Police Cyber – Crime Unit, NICTA and DICT and to make sure that the relevant laws are working for the people and not against them.
“We will closely monitor the execution of the Counter – Terrorist Act 2024 with respect to its enforcement in the Communications Space.”